The foundation of former United States president Barack Obama has named Nigerian born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby among the final group of leading creatives commissioned for the Obama Presidential Centre set to open on June 19 in Chicago.
According to a statement released by the Obama Presidential Center Foundation, the latest announcement completes the Centre’s art programme ahead of its grand opening. The initiative brings together both globally celebrated and emerging artists whose work reflects the Obamas’ long standing support for public art and cultural expression.
Crosby joins an impressive list of artists including María Magdalena Campos Pons, Jeffrey Gibson, Rashid Johnson, Hugo McCloud, Martin Puryear, Lorna Simpson and Norman Teague. Each artist has been selected to create large scale works designed specifically for the Centre’s campus. Their contributions will expand a growing collection of art meant to inspire civic participation and deepen public connection.
The Foundation explained that from the earliest planning stages, the Obama Presidential Centre was envisioned as a place where art would spark curiosity and inspire visitors. The selected artists bring a wide range of perspectives, styles and stories that reflect shared human values and diverse cultural experiences.
Chief Executive Officer Valerie Jarrett said the artworks are designed to help visitors see themselves as part of something bigger and motivate them to create change within their own communities. She added that the installations will be placed across the campus in spaces where people gather and interact, blending cultural traditions and artistic materials into everyday life. These works incorporate elements such as indigenous drum making, Afro Asian Cuban symbolism, conceptual photography, industrial materials and historical objects, all connected through themes of memory, place and community.
The Foundation also highlighted that the Centre will celebrate the legacy of President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, especially their belief in the power of ordinary people working together to achieve extraordinary results.
Built on a 19.3 acre campus, the Centre will feature a museum, a public library, a fruit and vegetable garden, an athletic facility, spaces for educational programmes and large outdoor areas designed to welcome both local residents and visitors from around the world.
Founding Museum Director Louise Bernard noted that the newly announced artists join 22 others previously selected. Together, they represent the depth of the Obamas’ commitment to supporting artists whose work explores identity, place and belonging. She explained that the collection will create a lasting artistic legacy that reflects values such as openness, respect and meaningful engagement with diverse stories.
The Foundation gave special recognition to Crosby’s contribution, describing it as a powerful portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama. The work blends archival images, family photographs, historical materials and cultural references. Through its layered storytelling and detailed approach, the piece connects the Obamas’ journey to the broader history of artists, activists and leaders whose efforts helped shape their path to the White House. The artwork will be displayed in the main lobby of the museum.
Crosby, a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2017, is known for combining painting with photographic elements drawn from personal archives and media sources. Her detailed compositions explore both personal experiences and wider social themes, offering a vivid look into contemporary life and the complexities of African diasporic identity.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, she now lives and works in Los Angeles. She has exhibited internationally, including participation in the 2019 Venice Biennale curated by Ralph Rugoff. Her works are held in major museum collections across the world.
Her achievements include honorary doctorates from Otis College of Art in 2024 and Swarthmore College in 2019, the Financial Times Women of the Year recognition in 2016 and a place on the Future Generation Art Prize shortlist in 2017. In the same year, she made history as the most expensive Nigerian artist ever sold at auction.
